Derek Thompson (sports commentator)
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Derek (Tommo) Paul Thompson (born 31 July 1950 in North Yorkshire) is a presenter and commentator of horse racing on Channel 4.
He gave his first commentary - on a point-to-point meeting - at the age of 15 and shortly afterwards acquired the nickname "big fella".[citation needed] His broadcasting career began at the age of 18 on local radio where he first coined the phrase "ho, ho, ho". [citation needed] In 1972 he was based in London working for BBC Radio Sport, for whom he covered a number of Grand Nationals alongside Peter Bromley, Michael Seth-Smith and Michael O'Hehir all of whom he persuaded to join his Racing Club. [citation needed]
In 1981, he moved to ITV to work for Thames Television where he appeared on World of Sport. In 1985, he joined as a presenter on the newly-formed Channel 4 Racing, a post he still holds today. Derek also commentates for At the Races and appears on talkSPORT radio.
In 1981, Derek Thompson beat HRH Prince Charles in a charity horse race staged at Plumpton.